I will preface this article by saying that I am pro-law enforcement. I know some cops, and they’re good people. I have called upon officers of the law in cases of witnessing domestic violence. I have called them in a couple of cases where my personal or familial safety was being threatened. I honestly believe that at this point in time responsible law enforcement is essential to the functioning of society.

However, if you think the riot officers who are systematically clearing out the Occupations might be in the right, I suggest that you consider these thoughts;

Breaking the law is sometimes essential to creating social change. Points in case;

When this sort of Police/State crack-down happens in other countries (e.g.; Tunisia, Egypt, China, Africa, etc.) we, as Americans, are outraged. When it happens here, we, as Americans, justify the status quo.

Guilt by association is at best lazy and at worst a calculated and ugly reason to use excessive force on a crowd of peaceful demonstrators. In other words, if five “demonstrators” are angry, dangerous, antisocial thugs, those five thugs should be arrested. The actions of those five thugs should *not* be used to justify the harming of nonviolent demonstrators.

Blame the victim mentality is sad, dangerous, and irresponsible. Saying things like, “Well, they’re breaking the law. They deserve what they get.” is, IMO, closely akin to saying, “Well, she’s a whore. She deserved to get raped.” Sorry to use such a shocking example, but really, really think about it before you jump to a defense of the brutal actions of police forces across the country (NYC, Oakland, Denver…).

Thanks for your time, and your deep consideration.

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About Lasara Allen

Lasara is wife to her true love, and mother to two amazing young women. She’s also a best-selling author, an educator, and an activist. Lasara’s first book, the bestselling Sexy Witch (nonfiction, Llewellyn Worldwide), was published in 2005 under the name LaSara FireFox.
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Yes, I avoid the news as well and either get it verbally or via facebook (with appropriate caveats). There has been limited violence, but what I find distrubing is the Police insistence that the protestors were violent. And the police will respond with violence.

The incident in Oakland was by far the worst to date; Two-tour Iraq war veteran Scott Olsen was shot in the head with a police projectile. This resulted in a critical injury. When Scott was down, protestors and street medics tried to get him to safety. An officer threw a flashbang bomb into the crowd, causing a delay in getting help to the downed protestor.

Scott is out of the coma hes was in for – I think – a day and a half, and has the ability to write, but not to speak. The doctors do not know how well he will recover in the long-term.

Scott's injury has drawn the most attention, but it is not an isolated incident.

People don’t worry any longer. andrea parker will no longer scam people out of their money because the FBI has shut down the company and its other 3 offices since Tuesday Sept 22,2009. I worked as a receptionist for this company and when I would get a chance I will let people know not to give money and to cancel everything. I feel guilty for working for this company but I needed the money for me and my son. I hope all of you get your money back.god bless you and hope none have hatered towards me!